40 kidnap attempts foiled since 2018

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Hazani

LAHAD DATU: Malaysia’s security forces have successfully foiled 40 kidnap attempts at the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) since 2018 until now.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) Commander DCP Datuk Hazani Ghazali, said the success is the result of close cooperation between all members of ESSCom as well as the preparedness of assets from Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

Hazani said the success was also made possible with the cooperation and sharing of intelligence with the Philippines security forces which successfully traced and prevented terrorist groups from the Southern Philippines to carry out kidnapping for ransom activity.

“In 2017, no kidnapping incident occurred but two cases recorded in 2018 and another two cases in 2019. However, we have successfully foiled 40 kidnap attempts since 2018 as we immediately mobilized our assets and manpower upon receiving information,” he said.

According to Hazani, since 2000, the kidnappers are aiming the victims at the tourism spots in Sabah east coast, however, beginning in 2015 the kidnappers aimed for the crew members of ships and fishermen at the open waters in ESSZone.

He said the kidnappers committed the activities at the border areas of their country so that they could easily take away their victims.

“Various efforts have been undertaken to address this issue including the establishment of ESSCom and the enforcement of curfew orders in the waters of seven districts under ESSZone.

“We also cooperate with the Philippines authorities especially in sharing intelligence so that we could curb kidnapping activities,” he said.

Hazani said the kidnapping for ransom group (KFRG) also received assistance from the spotters who serve as their eyes in locating the victims or the security forces.

Therefore, he hopes that the curfew could be concentrated on the areas that are used by cross-border criminals such as Pulau Sipadan and Pulau Mabul waters in Semporna, Pulau Ligitan in Tawau and Geem Reef in Tambisan, Lahad Datu.